Do you feel comfortable being absent from your classroom?

It's that time of year again: Many of us are getting sick, and deserve a day or two in bed with the sniffles. But for teachers, taking sick days can come at a great price. Even if an illness comes on suddenly, teachers need to be prepared to give lesson plans to a substitute (who in some school districts may not be required to have a teaching credential), and make up for any lost time when they return to work. In some schools, particularly in low-income districts, a substitute may not be available at all -- which means teachers are more likely than other professionals to drag themselves to work when they're feeling their worst.

When you have to be out, do you feel confident that things will carry on smoothly in your classroom? Tell us about your experience.